David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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271. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 290 of 16 January 2013, when the National Council for Special Education is due to report to him on the way the education system can best support children with special educational needs in the absence of the full implementation of the EPSEN Act 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3109/13]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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272. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 290 of 16 January 2013, his estimate of the cost of fully implementing all provisions of the EPSEN Act 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3110/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 271 and 272 together.

As I advised the Deputy in my response to his question of 16th January 2013, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) made recommendations which suggested that additional investment over a period of years of up to €235m per annum, across the education and health sectors, would be required to fully implement the EPSEN Act. My Department's opinion is that the level of investment required would be greater than that envisaged in the NCSE report, however, a total estimate of this amount has not been quantified.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has a formal role under the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act, 2004 in advising me in relation to any matter relating to the education of children and others with disabilities.

As I advised the Deputy in my response to his question of 16th January, 2012, I have asked the NCSE to provide me with comprehensive advice on how the educational system currently places and supports children with special educational needs in schools.

I can advise that this advice will consider:

- the identification and assessment of children with special needs- the nature of supports provided for children- the way in which supports are allocated to schools and - how these supports are configured.

This advice is expected in the coming months.

It is my intention that the significant resources to support children with Special Educational Needs are deployed to ensure the best possible outcomes for students. The advice will be a key input into achieving this goal.